The council, sitting as the board of the newly created French Quarter Economic Development District, announced its intention to move forward with the plan with a unanimous vote Thursday. The board will have another vote to put the measure on the Oct. 24 ballot.

The sales tax is expected to bring in about $2 million a year that would be combined with money from hospitality groups and the city’s general fund.

That money would be used to keep State Police patrols in the Quarter long term, alongside a variety of other measures that have emerged in recent months to enhance police presence in the city’s premier tourist district.